illustration: single speed

In cities, a single speed is the preferred type of bicycle by commuters due to its lightness and simplicity. It is so bare bones that it doesn’t even have brakes or cables. There are no derailleurs. Basically, that means you’re feet are the drive train, the gears AND the break. So get ready to pedal hard when you have to climb that steep hill because you can’t downshift to a low gear ratio. And then, how do you go down the other side of the hill? Very carefully, I would say.

The print of my drawing is available at my store. Feel free to check it out :)

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illustration: classic schwinn bicycle (v3)

This is a new version of my watercolour painting of an antique 1970’s Schwinn bicycle.

As a perfectionist, I keep tinkering with the details of the illustration.  This time, I’m happy with the final reworking… for now.

sketch: road bicycle

I always see hordes of cyclists on 9W, a route that goes along the Hudson. The old Route 9W is kind of like our Route 66 because newer, bigger, faster highways replaced it. So, with less car traffic, 9W earned a new kind of legacy as the road that cyclists adopted to be a long-distance track.

Well, I like to ride my bicycle too, and with the weather being warm so early in the season (the warmest March in New York on record since, like, 1945), I figured this would be a good time to take my wheels for a spin. So to speak.

On the road, I was quickly, overtaken by cyclists in skin-tight alien suits. With their ultra thin tires, they all zipped past me with minimal effort. I pushed my fat tires as fast as they could go. I know, I know. You’re supposed use road bikes for long distance (but I’m happy with my mountain bike. Really). I may have moved as slow as a snail, but hey, 34 miles later (in 3 1/2 hours), I made it!

Needless to say, when I got home, I collapsed on the bed and was down for the count.

Later, after the fatigue subsided, I celebrate my personal achievement, by doing a sketch of a classic 10-speed bicycle. For the time being, I’ll stick with drawing, and leave the Tour De France to the pros.

sketch: schwinn bicycle

I’ve been seeing a lot of old bikes while walking around downtown NYC. Here’s a rough sketch of a classic Schwinn bicycle, with a handlebar basket. It was sad and lonely, chained to a post. I did not include the chain or post in this drawing.

illustration: antique bicycle

Watercolor of an antique high wheel bicycle.  Circa 1885.  The print is for sale at my shop.

illustration: classic schwinn bicycle

This classic bike is in my basement.  Unfortunately, it was crippled after an incident.  It was perched on top of my roof rack.  Driving and turning a corner, the sheer heavy weight and centrifugal force made the bike bend at the fork and sideways.  The bike, after all, is a tank, due to its iron-like build.  Although damaged, it will return after some fixing.  I wanted to honor the Schwinn by drawing it in all of its glory.

Talking about biking, if you’re in New York City, take advantage of Summer Streets.  On three consecutive Saturdays (August 8, 15 and 22), Park Avenue and Lafayette Street is car-free traffic for cyclists and pedestrians.  The time block is 7am to 1pm.  The route is between 72nd to City Hall.  For more information, check out nyc.gov.

sketch: fat bike

I’ve been biking almost every day since the weather has been so nice.  Biking is on my mind a lot, lately.  I had the urge to draw a bike in a stylized way.